Your Rights

Your Rights

Everyone has rights, whether he or she is a member of the general public, a victim of crime or being held in custody. Bedfordshire Police Authority is committed to respecting the rights of others, in whatever circumstances they find themselves.

Complaints
All complaints are taken very seriously. While complaints about police performance or behaviour are never pleasant for any of the parties involved, it is important that we deal with each complaint in a systematic and fair manner.
Complaints against the Police
There are clear procedures for handling complaints against Police Officers, Special Constables and Police Staff. Visit the Bedfordshire Police website ( www. bedfordshire.police.uk) for further information.
Complaints against a Member of the Police Authority
From 8 May 2008 the duty to consider complaints that a Member of the Bedfordshire Police Authority may have breached the Code of Conduct has become the responsibility of the Authority's Standards Committee.
If you wish to complain about the conduct of a member of Bedfordshire Police Authority , you must submit your complaint to:
The Monitoring Officer
Bedfordshire Police Authority
Bridgebury House
Woburn Road
Kempston
MK43 9AX
You must make your complaint using the Complaint Form (116k Word document - opens in new window) so that you can be sure that you have provided all the information necessary to progress the complaint.
Alternatively, you can contact the Monitoring Officer on 01234 842066 or email: janet.wardell@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk
The Standards Committee can only deal with complaints about the behaviour of a Member of the Bedfordshire Police Authority . It will not deal with complaints about things that are not covered by the members' Code of Conduct. If you make a complaint, it must be about why you think a Member has not followed the Code of Conduct.

STOP and SEARCH - YOUR RIGHTS HAVE CHANGED

Click here to view this document as a PDF: Stop and Search

We believe that policing should be open and fair to everyone, irrespective of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or religion or belief.
To ensure that discrimination does not occur some changes have taken place - they may affect you!

What’s changed?
From March 1st 2005, if you are stopped by a police officer and asked to account for your actions, the officer will record the following details on an encounter form - exceptional circumstances aside - and then give you a copy of the form. Previously, you were only given a copy of the form if you were searched.

What does ‘account for your actions’ mean?
It means that you can be asked to explain why you were doing what you were doing, why you were behaving in the way you were, why you were in an area or why you have possession of something.

Why me?
The officer must have a good reason for stopping, or searching, you and it doesn’t mean that you have necessarily done anything wrong. You will be told what the reason is.

What is put on the encounter form?
· Your name or a description of you, including your ethnic identity
· Why you were stopped
· When and where you were stopped
· What the outcome of the stop was
· The name and number of the officer who stopped you

Where can I be stopped or stopped and searched?
In any public place.

Why has the legislation changed?
The change originated from Recommendation 61 of The Lawrence Inquiry. It is designed to eliminate unnecessary disproportionality in the numbers of people who are stopped or stopped and searched. In addition it is designed to improve trust and confidence in the police service.
Stop and search can improve the detection and prevention of crime.

Do I have to give officers my name and address?
No, but it makes sense to co-operate - if you have not done anything wrong there is nothing to fear.
If you are being reported for an offence, you do have to provide these details and may be arrested if you refuse to give your details.

Can the police stop and search my car?
You can be asked to produce documents, such as a driving licence, MOT or insurance details or the officer may examine the vehicle to make sure it is taxed and roadworthy. This does not require completion of a stop encounter form.

If the officer suspects that the driver and/passengers have committed a crime or may be about to do so they are likely to be searched. A stop encounter form will be given along with grounds for the search.

What if I disagree with something on the encounter form or am unhappy with the way I have been treated?
The police are expected to treat everyone fairly, politely and with respect. It you believe that this has not been the case you can complain. You can do this personally at your local police station; by writing to the Chief Constable; or contacting a solicitor, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, the Commission for Racial Equality or any other third party can complain on your behalf.

You can also complain direct to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
They will accept complaints by post to:
IPCC, 90 High Holborn, London. WC1V 6BH.
By telephone: 08453 002002
or by e-mail to: enquiries@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk